Electric fuel pump



y Aug. 1s,A 1939- J. B. wHmED ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP Filed man 6, 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet l .l Y 202 126 11E 1 ,f x .f

l Il' man la l 222 lnlllllllllll faz@ Aug, 15, 193,9 y '.x. a. wHrrTED 2,169,827

ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP Filed llarch 6. 1936 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 ugl5, 1939 J. s. wHlTrED 2,169,327

ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP Filed March e, 195e 12 sheets-sheet 3 lfi- il? i fa/M0321 Aug. l5, 1939 J. B. wHn'TED 2,169,527

l ELEcTRIc FUEL PUMP l 'Filed March s, 193e 12 sheets-sheet 4 56 li M6 203 zo 20,3

102 y L, #I

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Ang. 15, 1939 J. a. wHl'rTED 2,169,327

mcrxrc FUEL Buur Filedlarch 6, 1956 12 'sheets-sheet 5 Aug.V 1s, 1939 J. BgwHmED 2,169,821

Y mc'rxzc FUEL PUMP Filed aaron s, 195s 12 `sheets-sheet 5 lf2" 1K6 ,260 ETW Aug. 15, 1939 J. B. wHrrTED mc'rnlc FUEL PUMP 12 sheets-sheet Filed March 8. 1936 AUS- S, 1939 J. a. wHlTTED 2,169,327

ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP J. a'wHlT-rs'n ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP Filed March e. 193e 12 sheets-sheet 12 QTZNN v 2 .570 .5:95 66E 600 602 El L562i 'hl' 5290 5292 606 566 lPatented Aug. l5,

ortica ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP John n wanted, Glencoe,

art-Warner Corporation,

Virginia nl., u stew- Chicago, lll., a cor- Application March 6, 1936, Serial No. 67,527

42Claims.

My invention pertains to electric fuel pumpsv and more .particularly to electric fuel pumps for automobiles and other vehicles.

An object of my invention is to provide an im- 5 vproved electric fuel pump which is simple in con- Y struction, reliable in operation, and economical to manufacture.

Another object is to tric fuel pump which lo for all variations in battery. l

Another object is to provide an improved elec'- tric fuel pump which is quiet in operation and which draws so little current that it does not con- 15 stitute a drain on the automobile battery.

Another object is to provide an electric fuel pump which may be located at any point on the automobile and which will withstand the jars and vibration to which it is subjected.

Another object is to provide an improvedelecwill operate satisfactorily voltage 'of the automobile either for the purpose of locating it in a body of liquid or to prevent it from interfering with an automobile radio. A Another object is to provide an electrical Afuel 35 pump in which arcing at the contact points of the switches is either prevented entirely or reduced w a Other objects and advantageswill become apparent as the description proceeds. o In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred form of my invention; Y

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the form, shown in Figure 1, this view showing some of the parts in 'sectional elevation;

Figure 3 is an end elevation looking in the direction of the arrow@ of Figure 1;

Figure`4 is an enlarged vertical section taken n on the line A of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a desirable form of switch mechanism;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the switch -shown in Figure 5; i 5 Figure 7 is a further longitudinal section of the switch shown in Figure 5, being taken in a plane at right angles to the plane of Figure 6; Figures 8, 9 and 10 are transverse sections of i Figure 7, being taken, respectively, on lines 8-8, 9 9 and I I-II; Y

Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 are diagrammatic views showing a preferred form of electrical connections, these gures showing the parts in difj ferent positions and indicating the directions of y another embodiment of my invention;

'taken on the line current flow corresponding to the several positions of the parts;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing a high resistance locatedacross the main switch;

Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19 are diagrammatic views of a dierent wiring arrangement and corl respond generally to Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14;

Figure20 is a diagrammatic view of a modification of the wiring arrangement shown in Figures 16 to 19, inclusive; i 1

Figures 21, 22, 23 and 24| are atic views of still another wiring arrangement and are generally similar to VFigures `11, 12, 13 and 14;

Figure 25 shows a modified form of fuel pump constructedand arranged for mounting in the main fuel tank of an automobile;

Figure 26 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow 26 of Figure 25, showing the parts with the float and cover removed;

Figure 27 is a vertical section taken on the line 21--21 of Figure 26;

Figure 28 is a vertical section taken on the line 28-28 of Figure 26;

Figure29is aplan view;

Figure 30 is an irregular horizontal section taken on the line ill-3l of Figure 27;

Figure 31 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical connections of the embodiment shown in Figures 25 to 30, inclusive; Y

Figure 32 is a modification lof the embodiment shown infFigures 25 through 30,;

Figure 33 is a further modification of the embodimen't of Figures 25 through 30; y

Figure 34 isa partial vertical section through Figure 35 is an irregular horizontal section 35-35 of Figure 34;

Figure 36Vis an enlarged sectional view of the switch mechanism of Figure 35;

Figure 37 is a modication of the embodiment of Figures 34 through 36;

Figure 38 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the switch mechanism of Figure 37;

Figure 39 is a trasverse section o! this switch mechanism and is taken on Figure 38;

Figure 40 isa longitudinal section preferred form of switch mechanism;

Figure 41'is a longtudinal section through the switch right-angles to the latter, as indicated by the line III-II; and

Figure 42 is a vertical section taken on the line 42-42 of Figure 41.

through a the une zs-u of 5 mechanism 0f Figure 4o but is taken at 5 v justing screw 'that the lower plate Referring to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, I have shown my preferred form as having a -base 50 provided with a bracket 52 adapted for attachment to any convenient part of an automobile. The base 50 has an inlet chamber 54 connected by pipe 56 with the main fuel tank of the automobile. This fuel tank is currently'located at the rear of the automobile and below the engine carburetor which is normally located under the hood at the front of the machine.

Above the chamber 5t is an inlet valve 5B shown as a fiat disk resting upon an annular seat 60 and pressed thereagainst by a spring, E2 supported on a plate tt. Fuel from the inlet chamber 5ft is drawn upwardly past the valve 58 and into the diaphragm chamber @E located beneath a flexible diaphragm G8 of cloth or any other suitable material.

The margin of the cloth S8 is clamped between a cover 'le and the adjacent part of the base 50, screws l2 being provided for attaching the cover l@ to the base. A central portion of the diaphragm b5 is confinedbetween a pair of opposed metal plates it and i6 having edges curving away from the diaphragm. It is to be noted lil has a slightly greater diameter than the upper plate 1B. The plates and diaphragm are urged downwardly by a spring 'i3 abutting lagainst the cover 10, and the diaphragm is raised upwardly by a piston rod 50 extending through an opening in the cover and lhaving its lower end riveted over the under side of the lower plate to clamp the plates and diaphragm firmly against suitable shoulders provided by the piston rod. v p

AThe fuel is discharged from the diaphragm chamber 65 past an-y outletvalve 82 shown as a flat disk seating on an annular seat 84 provided by theplate 66. fI'he valve 82 urged against its seat by a spring 86 resting'on a'spider I88. Beneath the discharge valve 82 is an outlet chamber 90 which is connected with. the float vbowl of the engine carburetor by way of pipe 02.

My improved pump overcomes the freezing difficulties of the prior art pumps. The inlet and outlet pipes of my fuel pump connect with the chambers located beneath the diaphragm chamoer 66, whereas in the prior art pumps the dialliragm chamber is located beneath the inlet and outlet pipes. In my arrangement of these parts water, being heavier than gasoline, collects around the valves and chambers associated with the inlet andoutlet-pipes, from' which places it is rapidly carried away by the flow therethrough resulting from pump operation, whereas in the commercial prior art the water accumulates and freezes on the diaphragm, from whence it is not discharged due to lack, of flow across the diaphragm. Tests have shown that even where large quantities of water are purposely put in the gasoline in extremely cold Weather, my improved end of the piston rod is bent at right angles, as shown at 98, and.v is threaded to receive an ad- |00, a lock-nut |02 being provided to maintain the parts in adjusted position. The lower end of the screw |00 is reduced in diameter and is located in the socket formed in the upper" side of a block |04 having a slotin its lower side for receiving 'a pin |06. The portion of-the pin |06 located in this slot is cylindrical, and the surface of the block resting on this pin is similarly made cylindrical to provide a pivoted connection therebetween. project beyond the` block |06 and rest in notches |08 provided in one ofthe plates of the pump armature ad.

I shall now describe the means for supporting and operating the pump armature 9.6. A bracket I i0 is mounted on the base 50 by screws l i2 `which attach the spaced feet ili of this bracket directly to the upper side of the base 50, as indicated most clearly in Figure l. The bracket lill is preferably stampedv or otherwise suitably formed lof heavy sheet metal and has a central portion llt located beneath an. electromagnet H8. Integral with the central portion M6 of the bracket is an upward extension |20 having itsvextreme upper end |22-bent laterally and extending above and in spaced relation to the electromagnet H8 which will hereinafter be called the pump magnet. The iron core iM of the pump magnet is attached to the part H20 of the bracket by screws 26. These screws E25 also support a horseshoeshaped field piece |23.

rllhe free ends of the field piece |28 carry a cross bar ist, and the supporting spring |32,

which forms a exible pivotal support for the pump armature Se, is clamped between this cross bar itil and a plate i3d which are secured together by bolts i3d. 'It is to be noted that the The ends of the pin |06 upper surface of the plate |30 is curved, as inditure 96. This plate may be perfectly rigid in so far as the accomplishment of the foregoing objects is concerned'. However, I nd that, if this plate is made very slightly flexible, the operation y of the armature is quieter.

The pump armature 96 is composed of aseries of plates formed of magnetic material which are secured together in any suitable means, as by rivets |60. The spring |32 and plate |38 are confined between adjacent armature plates and secured thereto by the rivets |40. It is to be noted `that the pump armature is of such width that only a very small air gap is present between each end of the armature and the adjacent portion of the horseshoe shaped field piece |28, thus affording a highly efficient path forI the magnet flux.

The face of the pump armature nearest to the adjacent end of the magnetl core |26 is curved,

as shown most clearly in Figure 4. The upper part of this curved surface has a smaller radius than the lower part whereby the air gap between the armature and core is extremely small for all positions of the armature. I have foundthat a. curvature of the'armature face, which gives a variation of between five and thirty-thousandths of an inch in this air gap, affords'excellent results. The design of the parts is such that the magnetic force. exerted on the armature createsl tension on its supporting spring |32, thereby insurlng long life of this spring. In the particular arrangement of the parts shown, the pump armatire 96 would be pulled above horizontal posimounting for the electromotive parts. During each upward stroke of the armature, the part' |20 oi the iron bracket ||0 which supports the mag-j net |8 and field piece |28, yields slightly to cushion the operation of the pump. This makes the operation of my improved pump quiet and substantially Avibrationless and prolonga its life. It is to be noted that the pump magneti I8 is practically surrounded by the horseshoe eld piece |28 and the portions ||6, |20 and |22 ofthe bracket are composed oi magnetic' material and serve to confine the magnetic iield created by the magnet H8.

The pump magnet ||8 is located in a circuit controlled by a main switch |42. This switch may be either of the type shown in Figures 5 to 10, inclusive, or of the improved type shown in Figures 40 to 42, inclusive. For convenience, I shall'heredescribethe switch of Figures 5 to 10, inclusive, which comprises a bulb or capsule |44 of glass or other suitable material which is sealed in airtight relation to a pair of conductors |46 and |48 projecting from one end of the bulb. The

Yconductor |48 is shown as connected to' the turned-down end |50 of a sheet metal body |52 having its other end turned down as indicated at |54 to forma pair of legs |56 (Figure 10).

Adjacent the end |54 there is a central extension |58 carrying a spring |60 which supports a switch armature |632 oiI magnetic material. This amature carries a switch contact |64 of tungsten or any other suitable contact material. The spring |60 urges the contact |64 against a complementary stationary contact member |66 attached to a sheet metal part |68 connected to the conductor |46.. y

The sheet metal bodyI |52 has a rectangular opening |10, on each side of which are insulating sheets |12 and |14 which are longer and wider than the opening |10, as indicated in Figure 6. These sheets in turn have aligned central openings which are' smaller than the opening |10 and through which the lower U-shaped end of the part |68 projects to engage the contact |66 which it carries. The part |68 has ears |16 which overlie the insulating sheet |12, and the contact |66 extends beyond the edges of the opening'in the lower insulating strip -|14, whereby the two insulating strips are clamped between the ears |16 and the contact |65.

'The body |52 has punched out lingers |18.to

vprevent longitudinal movement of the assembly I comprising the insulating strips |12 and |14, the

Thelower ends ofthelegs and of the endv |50arecurvedonaxa'dius slightly smallerthan the radius of the Vglass tube |44 and the end |50.

A spring Itholds the curved portions ofthe legs |53 and end |58 nnly Saa-instone side of the glasstube. Since the bent over end |50 andlegs |55 are made of definite length, this arrange- Afuient locates the contact isc a dennite distance y 3 Contact iu. 'nie iongiiudinn position or the switch mechanism in' the glass bulb |44 is detii nitely determined by the conductors |48 and |48 which are firmly imbedded in the glass where they pass therethrough.

It will Vbe seen that the vparts of the switch mechanism are in the main simple sheet metal parts which can be stamped to the desired shapes and which can be very cheaply made and assembled in operative position. Furthermore, because of the arrangement of the parts, no undue accuracy in manufacture or assembly is required. Attention is also called ,to the fact that the point at which the glass tube is sealed about the conductors |46 and |48 is remote from .the springs and |80 so that the heat utilized in creating this seal does not impair the resilience of these springs.

The interior of the bulb |44 may be' either evacuated orillled with any suitable gas such as hydrogen, nitrogen, neon, etc. I have found hydrogen to be particularly desirable as it maintains the contact points clean and also serves as a good conductor of heat.

The contact members |66 and |64 of the main switch just described are normally maintained in closed position by spring |60. These contact plates are separated by exerting a magnetic pull on the switch armature |62 by means of a switch magnet indicated generally by reference character |82. .This switch magnet is supported on a generally U-shaped frame |84 pressed out of heavy sheet metal and having a supporting leg '|86 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the base 50. The switch magnet |82 is secured to this frame by a screw |88 extending into the iron core of the magnet. J

The core |80 of -the switch magnet has one end adjacent the main switch |42 and in such position that magnetic energization of this core acts upon the switch armature |62 and separates the switch contacts |64 and |66. The core |80 is acted'upon by a pair of electrical coils |82 and |84 which are separated from each other by insulating rings |86 and which are wound in the samedirection. as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The switch magnet |82 is located in a secondary circuit controlled by a pair of secondary switches indicated generally by reference letters .A and B. The frame |84 carries a. post |88 comprising washers formed of suitable insulating material. A switch member 200 is supported on the upper end of this post. The end of this switch member remote from the post is split into two fingers, as indicated most clearly in Figure 1, and each linger carries a contact member 282.V The contact members 202 engage a single complementary contact member 204 supported on the top of the pump armature 98 and supporting mechanism.

'I iind that the bifurcation of the end of the switch member 208'insures the establishment of a good electrical connection between this switch member and the pump armature under all conditiona o! operation and is preferable to a. structure in which the end of the switch member 20| w. grounded by way of the pump armature and its A is-not wurcated and is providecwith only a 7 single contact piece. The bii'urcated end o! the contact member is preferably inclined. as indicated at 245, so that a wiping .action takes place as the contact members 202 and 284 engages This :glug action serves' to maintain these contacts The secondary switch B comprises switch members 208 and 2|0 also mounted on the post |98 and insulated thereby. The switch member 208 `is iiexible and carries an insulating strip 2|2 'which is engaged by the pump amature 96 to move the single contact 2|4 carried by Vthis switch member into engagement with the two contacts 2|6 carried by the bifurcated end of the switch member 2| l).l 'I'he contact carrying ends of the switch members 208and 2|0 are inclined to give the wiping action previously described in connection with the switch A.

I provide a very simple adjustment whereby the secondary switches A and B may be simultaneously adjusted. Thls adjustment comprises a screw 2|8 threaded into the frame |84 and bearing at its lower end on an insulating strip- 220 overlying the switch member 2|0. The screw 2|8 carries a nut 222 engaging the insulating strip 224 overlying switch member 299.. By applying a Wrench to nut 222 and a screwdriver to -screw 2|8, both secondary switches will be simultaneously adjusted to give the desired operating characteristics. It will be noted that the screw 2|@ passes through an opening in the switch member 208 and has no contact therewith.

The electrical connections and mode of operation can best be described in connection with Figures 11 to 14, inclusive. In these figures, there is shown the usual automobile battery 23|) indicated as grounded at 232, which in automotive practice means connected to the frame of the automobile. 'I'he battery 230 is in series with the usual ignition switch 234 and one side of the ignition switch is shown as connected. to the conductor |46 of the main switch |42. The other main switch conductor |48 is connected by wire 236 with one end of the coil of the pump magnet |I8, the other end of this coil being grounded at 238. One end'of coil |94 of the switch magnet is connected through wire 240 with the ignition switch 234, and the other end of this coil is connected by wire 242 with the wire 236. A wire 244 connects one end of coil |92 with main switch conductor |48, and conductor 246 connects the other end of coil |92 with switch members 200 and 208. Switch member 2|0 is connected with the ignition switch by wire 248.

In Figure 11 the parts are shown in the rest position which they assume when the automobile is not operating. In this position the pump armature 96 is held down by the pump spring I8 and maintains the secondary switch B closed. No current is flowing through the switch .magnet coils |92 and |94 and the main switch |42 is closed. Upon closing of the ignition switch 234 incidental to starting the automobile engine, current ows through main switch |42 and .pump magnet |18 to pullv the pump amature 96 upwardly.

Figure 12 shows this pump armature 96 during its upward stroke. As soon as it has moved upwardly a short distance, thesecondary switch B opens. However, the opening of this switch does not break any current since no current was flowing through the circuit of which this switch is a part, due to the fact that this circuit was 4 in shunt across the main switch |42 which acted as a short-circut therefor, in view of the negligible resistance 'of the main switch ascompared with the high resistance of the coil |92.

During the upward stroke of the pump armature 96, the diaphragm 68 is raised, drawing fuel from the main fuel tank into the diaphragm chamber 66. As the diaphragm is raised, the pump spring 18 is compressed.

Figure 13 shows the parts in the position which they hold at the instant the pump armature 96 contacts with switch member A. At this instant a current is setup in the switch coil |92 which energizes the switch magnet to open the main switch |42.V As this main switch opens, it breaks the circuit through the coil |92, but at the same instant breaks the short-circuit which has maintained the circuit of the coil |94 inoperative, whereupon the circuit through the coil |94 becomes effective to hold the main switch open during the full downward stroke of the pump armature 96, as indicated in Figure 14.

It will be noted that at the instant the contacts of the main switch. |42 start to separate, both the circuit of switch coil |92 and the circuit of switch coil |94 are active but, since both of these coils energize the coreof the switch magnet in the same direction, the two coils merely assist each other in opening the main switch during the instant at which the break occurs.

During the downward travel of the pump armature 96, the diaphragm 68 is forced downwardly by the pump spring 18, and the fuel in diaphragm chamber 66 is forced past the outlet check valve 82 and through pipe 92 to the carburetor fuel switch B, thereby establishing a circuit through.

coil |92 which creates a magnetic effect on the core of the switch magnet in a direction opposite to that created by the coil |94 The coils |92 and |94 thus neutralize each other and the switch.

magnet becomes ineffective, whereupon the'main switch |42 closes, and the cycle is repeated.

An important advantage of the electrical connections shown in Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, lies in the fact that no secondary circuit is .broken while any current is flowing therethrough. This results in long life for. the contact points in the switches A andB.uAlthough it is not at all necessary, in View of the fact that the main switch contacts are sealed in an atmosphere of hydrogen, I sometimes find it desirable to place a high resistance 250 across the main switch conductors |46 and |48, as indicated most clearly in Figure 15. Al2 have found that excellent results are obtained where the coil of the pump magnet ||8 has a resistance of 21/2 ohms, each of the coils |92 and |94 has a resistance of 30 ohms, and the resistance 250 has a value of 60 ohms;- although it will be appreciated that other values may be selected.

The various elements of my novel fuel pump all co-operate to produce a new and unitary result. These elements are coordinated to provide a fuel pump which is quieter. produces less vibration, is more elcient, more economical and more durable than any fuel pump heretofore known.

The magnet and armatureV parts of the mechanism are so designed that they provide a substantially uniform pull on the diaphragm during its upward stroke. This provides a substantially uniform rate of upward movement of the central portion of the diaphragm,rwith the result that the inertia of the parts is prevented from becoming excessive and uncontrollable. This uniform rate of movement also provides a substantially uniform rate of inflow of fuel into the diaphragm chamber. This maintains the rate of fuel ow within limits which make it possible to avoid.

water hammer by means which I shall presently describe. K

In order to secure the most eiiicient, quiet, and satisfactory operation of the fuel pump, it is essential to provide accurate timing of the motor mechanism and I have provided specially designed and co-ordinated switches and switching mechanism for accomplishing this result. The contacts of the main switch are enclosed in a bulb field with hydrogen or other inert gas and the switch contactsvare separated by a magnet' lbcated outside of the bulb. 'Ihis design of the main switch prevents burning and corroding of the switch contacts and insuresuniform operation throughout the life of the mechanism. The secondary switches are of such nature that they can be accurately and easily adjusted to give the desired timingfr operation of the mechanism and these switches are located in novel circuits whereby opening of one of these secondary switches does not break a circuit, but simply dlverts the ow of current through that circuit. In this manner I have prevented arcing and burning at the switch contacts, so that these secondary switches also maintain their accuracy `of-contact throughout the life of the' mechanism. These features are important since even a slight fouling of a switch contact may interfere 'with the timing of the mechanism even though this fouling is insufficientl to prevent electrical contact.

In a diaphragm pump of the type which I have the creation of a delayed disclosed, the 'maximum eihciency, .quietness,v

economy, and smoothness of operation obtain when the timing of the parts is such that the upward pull of the armatureon the diaphragm ceases just before the diaphragm is pulled to tautness. This eliminates the wear and tear to which the diaphragm is-subjected when it is pulled 4taut by the armature and thereby greatly prolongs the life of Ythe diaphragm. This also eliminates the vibration and water hammer which are present when the diaphragm is pulled taut by the armature When the timing is such that the central portion of the diaphragm ceases its upward movement just before the diaphragm is taut, there is a slight slack in the diaphragm which hangs downwardly at the instant the central portion of the diaphragm ceases its upward movement. The inertia ofthe inlowing f uel swells this slack portion of the diaphragm upwardly and thereby iills the diaphragm chamberto maximum capacity. At the same' time, the inflow of fuel is cut off gradually as thue diaphragm is swelled upwardly to its maximum extent and this gradual cutting oi of the inilow of. fuel eliminates water hammer..

The accuracy of timing necessary to accomplish this result is made possible by the coordinationand cooperation of the motor with its sub- `pump throughout its life,

stantially uniform pull, producing ease of control, the accuracy of the timing switches and circlit arrangements, and the ability of the parts to maintain their original condition throughout the life of the fuel pump. A contributing factor to the maintenance of the proper adjustment of the switch circuits and motor is the elimination of pivotal bearings with their necessary variation in frictional resistance. Therefore, in my improved fuel pump the motor armature and movable switch contacts are springs. The resultant elimination offvariable frictional resistances and the maintenance of the switch'l contacts in excellent condition, insure [the continuance of the proper operation of the fuel supported b y flexible Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19 show several different rpositions of a modiiied form of the electrical con- 256 to wire 236. One end of thecoil |92 is connected by conductor 258 to the and the other end of this coil is connected by wire 260 to switch member 2|0. Complementary switch member 208 is connected to wire '236 through resistance 262.

In Figure 16 the parts are shown in the positions which they have when the ignition switch 234 is rst closed. Closing oi' this switch causes a current through the main switch |42 and pump magnet ||8 which energizes this magnet and starts the upward-movement of the pump armature 96. n

In this figure 16 there is shown a closed circuit through wire 258,switch magnet coil |92, wire 260, switch B, and resistance 262 which is shunted across the main switch. No current iiows in this shunt circuit, however, since this shunt circuit oifers high resistance, whereas the main switch oiers no appreciable resistance.

After the pump armature 96 has moved upwardly a short distance, the switch B opens, as in`- dicated in Figure 17. Since no current was flowing in the shunt circuit of this switch, no sparking occurs at the switch contact points when the switch opens.

ignition 0switch,

When the pump armature 96 reaches the upper limit of its stroke, it closes the switch A, as shown in Figure 18. This the magnet coil. 94 which opens the main switch |42 and breaks the circuit through the pump magnet H8, deenergizing this magnet and permitting the pump armature 96 to be moved downwardly by the pump spring.

As the pump armature 96 starts its downward movement, the switch A is opened. When this occurs, the current iiow through the magnet coil |94 continues in slightly diminished amount by way of resistance 256, wire 236, and pump magnet 8, to ground 238. The resulting flow through the pump magnet ||8 is too small, however, to materially resist the downward movement of the pump armature 96 under the force of the pump spring.

When the pump armature reaches the lower limit of its movement, it closes switch B, thereby.

energizing switch magnet coil |92. Since coil |92 is wound oppositely to coil |94, the two coils neutralize each other and the main switch closes. The cycle of operations is then repeated.

A feature of this circuit is the fact that when the pump armature breaksthe switch A, the iiow of current through the coil |94 is not cut off but is simply shifted so that, instead o f going through the switch A and pump armature to ground, it

goes through resistance 259 and pump magnet sistances 256 and 262 of Figures V16 to 19. 'I'he grounds the circuit through y be understood that coil, one end of which is connected through wire lil 212 with the ignition switch, the other end being connected by conductor 214 to switch member 200. I provide a second switch B' having a switch member 216 likewise connected to conductor 214,

and a second switch members 218 connected to wire 236 through resistance 280. The switch member 216 has an extension provided withv an insulating pad 232 adapted to be engage by the pump amature 96 to open the switch B'.

Figure 21 shows the parts in the position which they have when the ignition switch 234 is rst closed. The main switch M2 is closed, and the current nows through this switch and through wire 236 to pump magnet Hi8, which is thereby energized, and raises pump armature 96. f

As soon as the pump armature begins its upward movement, the switch B closes by virtue oflits own bias, thereby establishing a closed circuit through this switch. This circuit, however, offers comparatively high resistance to ow of current and is short-circuited by the main switch |42.

When the pump armature reaches the upper end of its'stroke, it closes the switch A, as shown in Figure 23, thereby grounding the circuit through the switch magnet 213 and opening the main switch |42, thus breaking the circuit lthrough the pump magnet H8. The fuel 'pump immediately starts its discharge stroke, drawing the pump armature 86 downwardly and breaking the circuit through the 'switch A.A However, at this time the main switch |42 is open, and breaking thev switch A simply establishes a. circuit for the switch magnet 216 through switch B', and

` this switch magnet continues to hold the switch |42 open during the downward movement of they pump armature.

When the pump armature engages and opens bile engine. 'Ihis is important in that it reducesthe current consumed by the fuel pump and also reduces wear on the parts by eliminating unnecessary movement of the mechanism.

In Figures 25 to 30, inclusive, I have illustrated a modified form oi' my invention whichis shown as being located at 290 in the main fuel tank 292 of the automobile. This. particular form of my invention is shown as being combined for convenience into an assembly which includes theA tank part 294 of a gasoline gauge.

I have shown a plate 296 secured to the` fuel tank 292 by screws 238. This plate carries a casing 300 containing parts of a gasoline gauge which is connected to the indicator on the instrument board by a wire 362 connected tothe binding post 364. A float 306 is located in the fuel tank and is pivotally connected to the 'mechanism in the casing 300 by an arm 368.

In these4 This is simply a convenient arrangement facilitating shipment by the accessory manufacturer and assembly on the part of the automobile manufacturer. It is to be understood that the particular structure of fuel pump shown in Figures 25 to 30 is not limited to mounting in the gasoline tank but may be located at other places on the vehicle and, conversely, that any of the other embodiments of fuel pumps disposed in this application may, if desired, be. mounted in the fuel tank in the manner shown in Figure V25.

In Figure 25 the fuel pump mechanism is shown as being inclosed in a suitable casing. The parts are shown in section in Figure 27 and comprise a base 3|2 designed with a large inlet 3|4- protected byA a strainer 3|6. Above the inlet 3i4/ is the inlet valve 3|8 leading to the diaphragm nected by way of an outlet valve -322 with the lower end of the pipe 3|0 which leads to the engine1 carburetor. The diaphragm 68 and its cooperating partsmay be identical with those shown in Figure 4. y

Thediaphragm is raised bya .piston rod 324 having a hook-shaped upper end partially surrounding a pin 326 carried by the pump armature 328 which is essentially the same as the pump amature described in the first embodiment.

The pump armature 328 is attached to and supported by a. spring 33B clamped between cross bar 332 and plate 334. In this form of my invention the plate |38 of Figure 4 is dispensed with. The armature 328 is raised by the pump magnet i land is moved downwardly by the pump spring 18, as in the rst embodiment. The current ow through the magnet ||8 is controlled by a main switch 336 which may be either of the type shown in Figures 5 to 10, inclusive, or of the type shown in Figures 40 to 42, inclusive.

In' the form of my invention shown in Figures 25 to 30, I use a magnet which is continuously energized throughout the operation of my fuel pump, and open and close the .switch 336 by' moving this magnet into and out of switch influencing position. This magnet may be either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet which operates continuously during the operation of the fuel pump. tromagnet current from I prefer the latter and show an elechaving a coil 338 which receives its theautomobile battery. 'I'his coil is wound' on an iron core 340 having tapered ends `342 forming bearing supports for a pivoted field piece noted generally by reference character 344. The coil 333 and core 340 are carried by a supporting-*bracket 346 riveted or otherwise secured to the pump cover 10.

The field piece 344 comprises a pair of arms 348 andv35ii secured to each other at one end by a spring-like strap 352 which causes tapered vsockets formed in the arms to engage'the tapered of felt or 3,169,827 One of the armature plates has an arm 362 piv` A316 have resilient sections 311.

The link 366 has an intermediate high point 312 held by spring 318 against the under side of the lateral iiange 319 of a bracket 316l attached to arm 348 adjacent the pivot therefor. The link 366 constitutes part of the means for shifting the eld piece 344 between its two extremev In Figure 27 the pump amature 328 positions. is shown in its lower position whereby the link 366 is in its backward or leftward position, as viewed in this ligure; so that the highpoint 312 engages the under side of the bracket 316 to the left of the pivot for the field piece'344, therebyholding the field piece against the stop 356.

In this position of the field piece the main switch 336 is closed and the magnet ||8 is energized to raise the armature 328. As the armature rises, the link 366 moves to the right, as viewed in Figure 27, and as the armaturereaches the top of its stroke, the high point 312 moves to theright of the pivotal support for the field piece, -whereupon this field piece is swung to magnet influencing position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 28. In this position of the field piece, the main switch 336 is held in the open position and the pump spring 18 moves the diaphragm and armature downwardly. As the armature approaches the lower limit of its stroke, the link 366 moves backwardly or to the left, as viewed in Figure 27, to the position shown therein, and the eld piece 344 is moved away from the main switch 336 which thereupon closes and reenergizes the pump magnet ,I I6 to repeat the cycle.

'I'he electrical connections for this form of my invention are shown in Figure 31 wherein the automobilebattery 238 'is grounded at 232 and connected through ignition switch 234, main switch |42, and wire 236, with the pump magnet 8, as in thel previous embodiments. The high resistance 258 is shown as shunted across the terminals of the main switch |42 as in the form of Figure 15.

The coil 238 ci the electromagnet is indicated as grounded at 318 and connected to the ignition switch 334 by wire 388. It is to be noted that the electromagnet is energized continuously during the operation of the fuel pump, and that openingthe ignition switch of the automobile automatically opens the circuits of the pump magnet and switch magnet. I have found that good results are obtained where lthe coil 238 is given aresistance of 30. ohms, the pump magnet has a re' sistance of 21/2 ohms, and resistance 228 has a value of 60 ohms, as in the previous embodiments.

Figure 32 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in Figures through 38, inclusive. In this Figure 32 the pivoted field piece 488 is in the form of a permanent magnet which is pivotally mounted on the upper end of a bracket 482 attached to the base 484 carrying the same pump mechanism as that described in the previous embodiment. Pivotal movement of the field piece 488 is limited by stops 486 and 488 which may be other suitable material which will reduce noise and jar.

'I'he eld piece 488` is moved to switch opening position by pump magnet a| |8 which is resil- -ment. 'Ihe lower side of electromagnet 338 and iently mounted as in the last previous embodithe magnet H8 is unshielded and this magnet creates a field which attracts the right-hand end of field piece 488.

The eld piece 488 is balanced about its pivotal support and is pulled downwardly by a coil spring 4|8. This field piece controls the main switch'336 in the manner previously described in connection with the last embodiment. The eld piece 488 functions as a pendulum which times the strokes of the pump armature 328, giving a constant rhythmic rate of movement to this armature and the pump diaphragm.

This form of my invention varies from the preceding forms in that the pendulum action of the eld piece 488 gives a uniform rate of operation to the fuel pump, tion the stroke of the pump varies in accordance with the fuel requirements of the engine, whereas in the previous embodiments the stroke was constant but the rate varied.

The parts are shown as inclosed in a cover 4|2 which protects the parts against dirt, water and injury, and which may also be so designed as to prevent the fuel pump from undesirably aifecting an automobile radio.

In Figure 33 the form shown utilizes the same iield piece 3.44 shown in Figure 27. In this form of my invention the right-hand end of the eld piece 344 is raised by the magnetic force of the pump magnet 8 to swing the field piece to switch-influencing position. The field piece is returned toinactive position by a leaf-spring 420 which is carried by the armature 328 field piece 344 as viewed in ment of the and 424.

Figure 34 shows a. different form of myinvention in which a base 458 is provided and has suitable means whereby it may be attached to any convenient part of an automobile. This base is connected with an inlet pipe 452 and an outlet pipe 454, suitable inlet and outlet valves 456 and 458 being provided to connect these pipes with a diaphragm chamber 468. The diaphragm 462 may be of the type previously described and is attached to the base 458 by a cover 464. A pair of links 466 and 468 connect the diaphragm with one end of a spring 418, having its other end attached to a bracket 412 carried by the pump armature 414. The spring 418 constitutes a means for pivotally connecting the armature 414 with the pump diaphragm.

This pump armature is pivotally mounted on a spring 416 attached to mounted on the base 458. The bracket 412 also carries a stop 488 which engages part 482 of the support to limit. the upward movement of the diaphragmand pump armature under the influence of the pump spring 484.

The pump magnet 486 is shown as attached to an inclosing casing 488 secured to the base 458 bymeans not shown.

The pump magnet 486 is controlled by a main switch 498 carried in a housing 492 which is pivotally supported on a pair of brackets 494 secured to the base 458. A permanent magnet 486 is secured to the pump cover 498 by screws and plates 588 and 582 and opens the main switch 498 when the switch is shifted to one limit of its pivotal movement.

The pump armature 414 to the right of its pivotal support, Figure 33. The extremes of moveeld piece are limited by stops 422 carries a pair of strips and in this form of my invenand whichl engages one arm of the a suitable support 418 584 which have clamped'between them a spring 75 506 passing through an opening in a lug 508 on the switch housing 482. The strips 504 jointly form a Y-shaped reinforcement for the spring 506.

As the pump amature 414 pivots about its support 418, the spring 506 urges the switch housing 492.to one extreme of its movement and, as the armature movement continues, the spring is reinforced and stiiened by one or the' other of the strips 504 until the force of the spring is l 452ii'lis connected to a wire 522 extending through the wall of the bulb and passing through an opening 524 in spaced relation to the housing 492. The wire 522 may be provided with a fiexible portion 525 to provide for the pivotal movement of the switch and its housing.

When the switch is in one extreme of its pivotal movement, the magnet 496 acts upon a movable contact 526 inthe form of a roller having disks 528 of tungsten or other suitable material to form an electrical connection between the contact plates I8 and 520. It is to be understood that the contact plates 5I8 and l520 extend through only a small a'rc so that, when the switch is oscillated to the other extreme, the roller 526 remains adjacent the end of the magnet 496 but the contact'plates 5l8 and 520 have moved away from and are no longer engaged by this roller. Axial movement of the roller 526 is limited by the wire 516 and by a pin 530.

Figure 38 shows a simpliiied form of switchin whichthe glass bulb 532 has a pair of wires 534 and .536, each connected to a contact plate 538 and 540, respectively. A roller 542 establishes communication between the plates 538 and 540 when the bulb 532 is so positioned that the pole of the magnet 544 draws this roller against these plates. The arcuate extent of the plates 538 and 540 is best shown in Figure 39.

The bulbs of the switches shownuin Figures 36 and 38 may be filled with hydrogen or other` gas or may be evacuated.

Figure 37 shows a structure utilizing the switch of Figure 38. In this form of my invention the switch 532 is mounted for rotation from shaft 550 through a pair of gears 552 and 554. The shaft may be driven from the cam shaft of the engine of an automobile or from any moving part of any vehicle or other structure. When the `rotation of the switch 532 brings the'contact plates 538 and 540 adjacent the end of the magnet 544, the roller 542 establishes a circuit through the switch. A-'.llhis circuit is shown as leading through wire 555 to a pump magnet H8 grounded at 556. The otherA terminal of the switch is connected through'its support 558l with `the automobile .battery and ignition switch.V

In Figures 40 to 42, inclusive, I have shown a vpreferredform of switch which is an improvement over that shown in Figures 5 to 10, inclusive. In the switch of Figures 40 to 42, I provide a glass tube 560 containing a sheet metal frame 562 having down-turned legs 564 and 566 provided with rounded lower ends curved on a radius less than the radius of the tube 560, as most clearly shown in Figure 42. lA spring 568 attached to the upper side of the frame 562 maintains the legs 564 and 566 pressed against one side of the tube 560.

A conductor 510 extends through one end of the tube and is attached to the leg 564. .This conductor is in electrical communication with a contact 512 mounted on a spring 514 riveted or otherwise suitably attached to a raised portion of the frime, as indicated at 516. The contact 512 lies in an opening in the frame 562 and is urged downwardly by the spring 514. The unattached end of the spring 514 is prolonged, as indicated at 518, and contacts with the adjacent portion of the frame 562 when the contacts are separated to form a limit stop for the downward movement of the contact 512 under the iniiuence of spring 514.

A second contact 580 is secured to an armature 582 carried by a spring 584 which urges the contact 580 upwardly and into engagement with the lcontact 512.

A second conductor 586 extends through one. end of the tube 560 and is attached to a terminal 588. The terminal 588 is insulated from the frame 562 by an insulating sheet 590 which is confined between shoulder 592, upturnedirame edges, 584, 596, and upturned nger 588.

A second insulating sheet 600 is located be tween the under side of the frame 562 and the spring 584. The terminal 580, insulating pieces 590 and 600, and spring 584, are attached to the frame 562 by a hollow rivet 602 which passes through an enlarged opening in the frame 562 so that there is no contact between this rivet and the frame. This rivet establishes an electrical connection between the terminal 588 and spring 584 so that the conductor 586 is in electrical communication with the contact 580.

Figure 41 shows theposition of the parts when the contacts 512 and 580 are engaged. It is to be noted that in this position of the parts the spring 514 of the upper contact (as viewed in Figure 41) has been exed upwardly so that thev free end 518 of this spring is spaced from the upperl surface of the frame 562. When a magnetic inuence is exerted on the armature 582 to draw this armature and itsv associated contact 580 downwardly,

-1 the upper contact 512 also moves downwardly until the end 518 of its spring engages the upper surface of the frame 562, whereupon the downward movement of the contact 512,is suddenly arrested. By the time this occurs the lower contact 580 and its relatively heavy armature 582 .have acquired momentum and this momentum,

plus the pull of the magnet, are sucient to separate the contacts, even though they have a tendency to stick together. lfeature of this improved switch.

I have also provided means lto insure the creation of a good electrical connection between the contacts 512 and 580 immediately upon their initial engagement by eliminating any mechan- This is an importantV ical bouncing of either or both contacts when they are first brought together. In carrying out this objective, I mount the upper contact 512 upon a spring 514 sc that, as the contacts rst engage, the upper contact 512 yields in the direction of movement of the contact 58,0.

-In this connection, it is to be noted that the mass of the upper contact 512 is'much less than the mass of the lower contact 580 and its associated amature 582. I find that the combination ofthe yielding mounting of whatwould normally be a fixed contact, together with the superior 

